On February 3rd in Danvers, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $900,000 in grant funding for six MA organizations to provide job training, employment placement, and post-placement services for 116 young adults with disabilities.
The Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development (BVHub) was awarded $170,000 to deliver the “Foundations in Healthcare and School Support Careers” program, an inclusive training and employment initiative that will prepare 24 neurodivergent young adults with cognitive disabilities for sustainable careers in the health and social services sector. In addition to the MassHire Central Region Workforce Board, BVHub’s employer and community partners include Optum Health Reliant Healthcare, Applied Behavior Institute (ABI), Sutton Public Schools, Northbridge Public Schools, MassAbility, Center of Hope, and transition programs at Nipmuc and Uxbridge.
Since 2023, the Healey-Driscoll Administration, in partnership with Commonwealth Corporation, has awarded $2,715,625 in Employment Program for Young Adults with Disabilities grants, projected to provide training and job placement services to more than 360 individuals. Participants have been placed in industries such as Transportation & Warehousing, Admin and Support Services, Recreation, Educational Services, Waste Management, and Retail. The program also provides essential workforce support to help overcome employment barriers, such as transportation assistance, job coaching, soft and hard skills training, post-placement support, and support with requesting workplace accommodations.
“Across our state, there are talented, motivated people who face real barriers to employment—and employers who are eager to hire and grow their workforce,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These grants help break down those barriers by providing the skills, supports, and pathways people need to succeed in high-demand industries.”
Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones added, “The Healey-Driscoll administration’s workforce agenda focuses on increasing access and reducing barriers to meaningful employment for Massachusetts jobseekers, including individuals with disabilities. We value the partnerships with awarded organizations to provide critical job skills and wraparound supports that will improve employment outcomes and advance economic opportunities for individuals with disabilities as we grow a more inclusive workforce in Massachusetts.”
The grant program engages organizations dedicated to training young adults with disabilities; it is funded by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) and administered by Commonwealth Corporation.
